microsoft related articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)http://www.dpreview.com/tag/microsoftmicrosoft related articles from Digital Photography Reviewen-usCopyright (c) 1998-2016 Digital Photograph ReviewWed, 26 Oct 2016 22:01:00 Zhttp://www.dpreview.com/resources/images/logo-site-footer-light.pngmicrosoft related articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)http://www.dpreview.com/tag/microsofthttps://www.dpreview.com/news/3559336848/microsoft-debuts-surface-studio-new-surface-book-and-windows-10-creators-updatehttps://www.dpreview.com/news/3559336848/microsoft-debuts-surface-studio-new-surface-book-and-windows-10-creators-updateMicrosoft Surface Studio morphs the photographer's desktop into a studio<div id="embeddedSampleGallery_6194580448" class="sampleGalleryImageViewerContainer" style="height: 459px"></div><script type="text/javascript">$(document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({"containerId":"embeddedSampleGallery_6194580448","galleryId":"6194580448","isEmbeddedWidget":true,"standalone":false,"selectedImageIndex":0,"startInCommentsView":false,"isMobile":false}) });</script>
<p>Microsoft today&nbsp;expanded its Surface lineup, announcing the 'world's thinnest LCD monitor'&nbsp;but in an exciting form factor: a touch-based all-in-one desktop PC with a 28" 4.5K PixelSense display. The 4500 x 3000 3:2 display sports&nbsp;13.5 million pixels, and at 192 PPI almost approaches the 218 PPI figure of the 5K Retina iMac, but with 10-point multi-touch capabilities. Like the 5K iMac, the&nbsp;display's&nbsp;color gamut&nbsp;extends to DCI-P3 (25% larger than sRGB),&nbsp;something photographers routinely&nbsp;editing and printing will appreciate. Microsoft is calling the 10-bit display 'TrueColor'.</p>
<p>But the real story here is the touch-based, pen-enabled 4.5K display. Wacom Cintiq's highest res screen is only 2.5K and has more primitive touch&nbsp;input in comparison. As for Apple's iMac, well, mice and Wacom pens and <a href="/news/3662341509/astropad-2-0-brings-better-performance-and-increased-compatibility" target="article-3559336848">Astropad</a> are so yesterday. The Surface Studio literally combines these devices into one, allowing you to draw directly on the surface with the precision <a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pen/productID.325724000" target="article-3559336848">Surface Pen</a>. With a simple push of the screen, you can adjust the angle of the display down to a 20-degree orientation – then use it like a drafting table. And the new Bluetooth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Dial/productID.5074013900" target="article-3559336848">Surface Dial</a> radial accessory will allow you to change settings, like the color you're drawing with or brush size, on-the-fly. The display and dial sense each other, and with time and adoption we expect to see all sorts of creative solutions emerge that integrate the capabilities of the&nbsp;display, dial and pen.&nbsp;</p>
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<div class="caption">The new Microsoft Surface Studio is a powerful all-in-one desktop with a 28" 4.5K wide-gamut PixelSense display touting touch, pen and dial capability. It easily folds down to drafting table-esque low angle for easy drawing and image editing.</div>
<p>A number of apps at launch, like Paint 3D and Sketchable, will&nbsp;support&nbsp;enhanced capabilities with the dial and pen, and we expect creative applications, like Adobe's Creative Suite, to quickly follow suit, particularly because Microsoft has made it easy for developers to do so.&nbsp;Microsoft's approach with Windows 10 and its hardware products prioritizes a unified app experience across all devices. With one operating system, app developers simply build new UI layers on top of existing apps, meaning less work for developers (than building a whole new app for, say, iOS) and, perhaps more importantly, a consistent user experience: Photoshop on&nbsp;the Surface is just like Photoshop on a desktop PC, but with an added pen/touch layer.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="pullQuote">Microsoft's approach prioritizes&nbsp;a unified app experience across all devices.&nbsp;</div>
<p>To keep the display on the Surface Studio thin, Microsoft put a lot of the guts of the Surface Studio in the base, and the specs are impressive. Three configurations ranging from $2,999 to $4,199 are available, all using&nbsp;Intel's 6th generation Quad core i5/i7 processors with&nbsp;8, 16, or 32GB RAM. Every Studio comes with a dedicated nVidia discrete GPU, with the lower two configurations using the GTX&nbsp;965M with 2GB GDDR5 memory, and the highest configuration using the GTX 980M with 4GB GDDR5 memory. There are a number of connectivity options, including 4 USB 3.0 ports, SD card reader, Mini Displayport, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Gigabit ethernet, and Xbox Wireless. A 5MP/1080p Windows Hello capable front-facing camera is built in, as are 2.1 Dolby Audio speakers, and dual microphones.</p>
<p>Microsoft also&nbsp;announced three new Surface Book models with Performance Bases, touting 6th generation Intel&nbsp;Core i7 processors and&nbsp;more than twice the graphics processing power of the original Surface Book.</p>
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<div class="caption">Windows 10 Creators Update promises ease of creation, sharing and experiencing 3D models and mixed reality (with accompanying VR headsets).</div>
<p>Microsoft is pushing their Surface solutions as tools for creatives, and indeed Microsoft's previous Surface Pro and Book models have generated a lot of interest from artists and designers who've already shown the benefits of fully-fledged touch/pen-based computers. Microsoft clearly hopes to take a bite out of Apple, traditionally seen as the choice for creatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Microsoft's effort to attract creatives couldn't be more evident in the company's recent focus on&nbsp;3D and mixed reality. To that end the&nbsp;Windows 10 Creators Update, slated for early 2017 release, updates a number of apps to allow users to work seamlessly with 3D models, including ones they can generate themselves by scanning real-world objects with their phone. The popular Paint app will now be Paint 3D, and over the next year the popular Microsoft Office suite will also gain 3D capabilities. The Creators Update also promises ease of creation, sharing and experiencing mixed reality. Microsoft announced that HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and ASUS will ship the first OEM virtual reality&nbsp;headsets capable of mixed reality through the Creators Update, and at a very reasonable $299 price tag. These devices, paired with Windows OS and apps, should allow users to place and interact with virtual 3D objects placed in the real world.</p>
<p>Microsoft's newly announced products are <a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/home?icid=en_US_Store_UH_store_home" target="article-3559336848">available for pre-order</a> today, and early adopters of the Surface Studio will get a free Surface Dial. For more coverage and details on today's launch event, head over to <a href="http://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-event-2016/" target="article-3559336848">Microsoft's dedicated site</a>&nbsp;on the launch event.</p>
<p>Press Release:</p>
<div id="pr" class="pressRelease">
<p><strong>NEW YORK — Oct. 26, 2016</strong> <strong>—</strong> Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday unveiled a broad vision to empower a new wave of creativity with a major update coming to more than 400 million Windows 10 devices and the introduction of Surface Studio, Surface Dial and a more powerful Surface Book.</p>
<p>Expanding the Surface family, Surface Studio is a new class of device that transforms from a workstation into a powerful digital canvas, unlocking a more natural and immersive way to create on the thinnest LCD monitor ever built.<sup>1</sup> With a stunning ultra-HD 4.5K screen, Surface Studio delivers 63 percent more pixels than a state-of-the-art 4K TV. Surface Studio works beautifully with pen, touch and Surface Dial — a new input device designed for the creative process that lets you use two hands on the screen to compose and create in all new ways.</p>
<p>Launching as a free update in early 2017, the Windows 10 Creators Update will enable anyone to create, share and experience in 3-D and mixed reality, connect people faster to those they care about most, and empower every gamer to be a broadcaster. And with the Creators Update, Microsoft Edge will be the first browser to fully embrace 3-D.</p>
<p>“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “With Windows 10, Microsoft Surface and the medium of Mixed Reality, we aim to empower the builders, the makers and the creators with the tools to create, collaborate and express themselves in new ways.”</p>
<p><strong>Surface Studio turns your desk into a creative studio</strong></p>
<p>Surface Studio is a new class of device designed for how people naturally create and bring ideas to life. The 28-inch PixelSense™ Display immerses the user in 13.5 million pixels of pure, true-to-life color, and the Zero Gravity Hinge allows the screen to effortlessly adjust to each stage of the creative process. When the screen transitions from Desktop Mode to Studio Mode, it sits at a 20-degree angle, the same angle as a standard drafting board, making it ideal for sketching, writing and designing.</p>
<p>The 6th Generation Intel<sup>®</sup> Core™ processors accelerated by a discrete NVIDIA<sup>®</sup> GeForce<sup>®</sup> GPU deliver smooth and immersive graphics performance and the power to run professional programs such as Siemens’ NX™ software,<sup>2</sup> taking people through their workflow from end to end. Now architects can sketch their ideas with the Surface Pen, put them into production using powerful 3-D modeling software, and review and mark up plans with a client, all on one device.</p>
<p>Surface Studio starts at $2,999 estimated retail price (ERP) USD. It is available for pre-order today in the U.S. through Microsoft Stores, <a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/home?tduid=(177b4b7065be9667d349a8f7e482fc98)(256380)(2459594)(1UzQjzPXg9U-WlxITvSSVrD_aHaeMax7qQ)()">MicrosoftStore.com</a> and BestBuy.com, and will begin shipping in limited quantities this holiday with broader availability in early 2017.</p>
<p><strong>Surface Dial — a new spin on creativity</strong></p>
<p>Surface Dial is a new peripheral designed for the creative process. It integrates with Windows 10 to work with Surface for a faster and more intuitive way to scroll, zoom and navigate. The Dial also enables a set of unique experiences exclusive to Surface Studio. When you place the Dial directly on the screen, it brings up a set of digital tools specific to the app that is open, allowing people to more seamlessly move through their workflow. For example, with Surface Dial, artists can change the color or the size of their brush tip as they paint without ever moving the pen away from the screen. The combination of Dial, pen and touch creates a more immersive and tactile way for people to create in digital environments. Partners like BlueBeam Inc.,<sup>2</sup> Drawboard,<sup>2</sup> Mental Canvas,<sup>2</sup> Siemens PLM Software,<sup>2</sup> Silicon Benders,<sup>2</sup> Smith Micro Software, Inc.<sup>2</sup> and StaffPad have already optimized their software to take advantage of the new experiences Surface Dial provides.</p>
<p>Surface Dial is available for pre-order today in the U.S. through Microsoft Stores, <a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/home?tduid=(177b4b7065be9667d349a8f7e482fc98)(256380)(2459594)(1UzQjzPXg9U-WlxITvSSVrD_aHaeMax7qQ)()">MicrosoftStore.com</a>, select Best Buy locations and at BestBuy.com, and will be available for $99 ERP USD starting Nov. 10.</p>
<p><strong>The most powerful Surface Book yet</strong></p>
<p>Microsoft also introduced Surface Book with Performance Base, making the most powerful laptop in its class even better. The three new Surface Book models feature 6th Generation Intel<sup>®</sup> Core™ i7 processors and pack more than twice the graphics processing power as the original Surface Book. Plus Surface Book with Performance Base brings 16 hours of battery life<sup>3</sup> into the same sleek, versatile design people love. With Surface Book with Performance Base, engineers can spin 3-D CAD models with thousands of parts, designers and developers can render large files quickly, and gamers can play more of their favorite games. No other laptop combines similar battery life, performance and pixels in as lightweight a package.</p>
<p>Surface Book with Performance Base starts at $2,399 ERP USD. It is available for preorder today at Microsoft Stores,<sup>4</sup><a href="https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/home?tduid=(177b4b7065be9667d349a8f7e482fc98)(256380)(2459594)(1UzQjzPXg9U-WlxITvSSVrD_aHaeMax7qQ)()">MicrosoftStore.com</a> and select retailers in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and is available starting Nov. 10.</p>
<p><strong>The Windows 10 Creators Update</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Empowering everyone to create, share and experience in 3-D</em></strong></p>
<p>With the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft unveiled a comprehensive vision across hardware and software to bring 3-D to everyone.</p>
<p>Microsoft introduced a new way to bring your ideas to life with Paint 3D. Building on the popularity of Microsoft Paint, with more than 100 million monthly users on Windows, Paint 3D will be your all-new, easy-to-use 3-D art studio. The company also introduced the new online community Remix3D.com, connecting creators and creations around the world. Remix 3D will enable all-new scenarios for creators, including the ability for Minecraft players to share their 3-D creations broadly with the Remix 3D community.</p>
<p>To inspire a new wave of creativity, Microsoft is partnering with Trimble to bring the 3-D modeling program Sketchup — and its millions of creators and creations from 3D Warehouse — to <a href="http://remix3d.com/">Remix3D.com</a>.</p>
<p>To further demonstrate the possibilities of 3-D in Windows 10, Microsoft showed how easy it is to use your phone to capture a real-world object in 3-D — like a sand castle from your family vacation — to save, personalize and share as a 3-D memory or photo. To bring your ideas to life, Microsoft is also adding support for 3-D in Word, Excel and PowerPoint over the next year, which means with the Windows 10 Creators Update, Office features will work seamlessly with 3-D models.</p>
<p>Everyone is welcome to start creating and sharing in Paint 3D today by joining the Windows Insider Program at <a href="https://insider.windows.com/">insider.Windows.com</a>. To learn more about 3-D in Windows 10, go to <a href="http://www.remix3d.com/">http://www.Remix3D.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong><em>Empowering everyone to experience mixed reality</em></strong></p>
<p>Mixed reality blends the virtual world with the real world to change the way people create, communicate, learn and play across virtual reality, augmented reality and everything in between. To demonstrate the possibilities of mixed reality, the company showed a proof of concept together with Houzz — a leader in home renovation and design. Using the Microsoft Edge browser on HoloLens, Houzz users could preview products in their own home before they buy. Microsoft Edge was the first browser to bring inking to the web, and will be the first browser to fully embrace 3-D.</p>
<p>The Creators Update will be the most powerful and affordable way to experience mixed reality. Microsoft announced that HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and ASUS will ship the first VR headsets capable of mixed reality through the Creators Update. Coming in 2017, these accessories will contain built-in sensors to enable inside-out, six-degrees of freedom for simplified setup and to more easily move around your home as you experience virtual worlds —no markers required.</p>
<p>Less powerful VR accessories today start at over $500 ERP USD. With the Windows 10 Creators Update, the new VR accessories will work with affordable laptops and PCs and start at just $299 ERP USD.</p>
<p><strong><em>Windows 10: the best platform for 4K gaming and in-game broadcasting</em></strong></p>
<p>Gaming has exploded in popularity as both spectator entertainment and as a sport. The Windows 10 Creators Update will make it easy for every gamer to create and enjoy live game streams and customized eSports tournaments on the fastest, most reliable multiplayer network, Xbox Live.<sup>5</sup></p>
<p>The Creators Update will include Beam system integration on Xbox One and Windows 10 for interactive broadcasting and viewing of gameplay on Xbox Live, with even more features yet to be announced. And with interactive broadcasting, you don’t just watch your favorite streamer play, you interact in real time right along with them.</p>
<p>The Creators Update will also bring the power of user-generated tournaments via Arena on Xbox Live, where anyone can define the rules of competition, invite friends and track tournament progress seamlessly across devices, whether it’s on Windows 10 or Xbox One.</p>
<p>Plus, with a Windows 10 gaming PC, you’re able to play games like “Forza Horizon 3,” “Gears of War 4” and more in 4K,<sup>6</sup> the highest possible visual fidelity that this holiday’s biggest blockbusters can deliver.</p>
<p><strong><em>A faster way to connect and share with people who matter most</em></strong></p>
<p>With the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft is putting the people you care about most at the center of your experience — right where they belong — with Windows MyPeople. Now, with the Windows 10 Creators Update, your most important friends, family and co-workers will be instantly accessible across any Windows PC.</p>
<p>With MyPeople, you can pin your favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and easily drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for easy sharing. Get unique notifications, called “Shoulder Taps,” from your most important people and easily open and see an integrated view of emails, IMs, shared documents and more, all in one place. The Windows MyPeople experience will be integrated across Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps for easy sharing.</p>
<p><strong>More to come</strong></p>
<p>Windows Insiders will be able to preview the Windows 10 Creators Update through the Windows Insider Program at <a href="https://insider.windows.com/">https://insider.Windows.com</a>. 3-D and mixed reality for everyone, in-game broadcasting and MyPeople are just some of the new experiences coming to the Windows 10 Creators Update in early 2017. Additional productivity, creativity, security and gaming features will also be included and announced soon.</p>
<p>Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.</p>
<p><sup>1</sup> Average cross-section thickness across entire display</p>
<p><sup>2</sup> Sold separately</p>
<p><sup>3</sup> Surface Book with Performance Base features 16 hours of battery life for local video playback.</p>
<p><sup>4</sup> Where available</p>
<p><sup>5 </sup>Network claim: Independent IHS Markit study, June/July 2016. Tested on Xbox One versus PlayStation 4 on top five selling games with matchmaking; results may vary, not an endorsement. Visit xbox.com/betternetwork.</p>
<p><sup>6</sup> Games sold separately. 4K functionality available with supported games, monitors and graphics chips. Check PC to determine graphics chip compatibility.</p>
</div>Wed, 26 Oct 2016 22:01:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/3067845265/juha-alakarhu-leaves-microsoft-and-returns-to-nokiahttps://www.dpreview.com/news/3067845265/juha-alakarhu-leaves-microsoft-and-returns-to-nokiaHigh-profile camera expert leaves Microsoft, returns to Nokia<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop singleNoBorder center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="590">
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<p>As the former Head of Imaging at Nokia, Juha Alakarhu was a key figure in the development of the Finnish company's PureView cameras. The innovative technology was implemented in models such as the <a href="/articles/8083837371/review-nokia-808-pureview">Nokia 808</a> or <a href="/reviews/lumia-1020">Lumia 1020</a>, which by many mobile photographers are still viewed as the best smartphone cameras ever made. Unfortunately, slightly slower than usual camera processing speeds and the high cost of the technology meant the devices never really caught on in the&nbsp;mass-market.</p>
<p>When Nokia's device division was sold to Microsoft, Alakarhu and his team moved as well, but now it looks as if Microsoft is pretty much abandoning its entire smartphone business, making redundant a large proportion of the employees that were hired as part of the Nokia acquisition. Camera expert Alakarhu is among a number of high-profile engineers who have already found a new role, though, and it's with&nbsp;his former employer. He is returning to Nokia as the head of the Ozo VR camera.</p>
<p>If you'd like to refresh your knowledge on Nokia's PureView technology you can read our <a href="/articles/8083837371/review-nokia-808-pureview/4">interview with Juha</a>&nbsp;that was conducted on the occasion of the Nokia 808 launch in 2012.</p>Tue, 02 Aug 2016 18:39:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/9384425688/microsoft-pix-aims-to-capture-better-people-pictureshttps://www.dpreview.com/news/9384425688/microsoft-pix-aims-to-capture-better-people-picturesMicrosoft Pix aims to capture better people pictures<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop singleNoBorder center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="590">
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<p>Microsoft has released a new camera app that puts its focus on taking better pictures of people. The Pix app is now available for iPhone and iPad, and Microsoft says an Android version is in the works. When active the app is constantly recording and saves 10 frames before and after its shutter button is pressed. A series of algorithms then analyzes the recorded images, evaluating technical quality characteristics, such as sharpness or exposure, but also looking at facial expressions of human subjects.</p>
<p>Based on those characteristics among others, the app then selects three best shots and presents them to the user. The filtered shots are discarded to save space, but not before the image information contained in them is used to enhance the selected shots. For example, the app can brighten app images that have been captured in very dark conditions.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Additionally, Pix&nbsp;converts a bunch of similar images into a moving Live Image, but only if it thinks the motion in the scene is interesting. The app also integrates Microsoft's <a href="/articles/5107787525/microsoft-hyperlapse-app-windows-phone">Hyperlapse</a> feature. In addition to recording stabilized time-lapses, in its latest incarnation it also allows you to turn existing images into time-lapses or simply stabilize previously recorded video footage.&nbsp;</p>
<p>One of the most interesting aspects of Pix is that we can expect the app to get better with time. Anonymized settings data and information on what pictures users delete or favorite is sent back to Microsoft where developers look at the data and fine-tune the app's algorithms accordingly. Microsoft Pix for iOS can now be downloaded from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-pix/id1127910488?mt=8#">Apple App Store</a>.</p>
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<p>When we last reviewed a flagship Lumia device (the <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/products/nokia/mobilephones/nokia_lumia1520">1520</a>), it was still sold under the Nokia name.&nbsp;In the meantime Nokia has sold its device business to Microsoft, but it took a long time for the new owners to come up with a replacement for the 1520. Eventually the first duo of Lumia flagship phones under the Microsoft banner was announced in October 2015. The Lumia 950 and 950 XL differ in size and processor specification but use the same PureView-branded camera.</p>
<p>The latter&nbsp;comes with a 1/2.4"-type 20MP Sony sensor and a Carl Zeiss branded lens with F1.9 maximum aperture. A latest generation optical image stabilization system is keeping things steady and a triple-LED RGB flash aims to avoid undesirable color casts when shooting with flash. As you would expect from a current flagship, 4K video recording is on board as well. At the front a 5MP module with F2.4 aperture is installed for self-portraits and video-chats.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For this review we used the smaller of the two devices, the Lumia 950, which comes with a 5.2-inch 1440p display&nbsp;and Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset. The 950 XL offers a larger screen, a more powerful Snapdragon 810 chip and a slightly larger battery, but the camera setup is identical to the 950's. Read our full review on the following pages to see how the camera on the new Microsoft device performed in our test.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Key Photographic / Video Specifications</h3>
<ul>
<li>20MP 1/2.4"-type Sony CMOS sensor&nbsp;</li>
<li>Carl Zeiss branded lens with F1.9 maximum aperture</li>
<li>Optical Image Stabilization</li>
<li>26mm equivalent focal length</li>
<li>Triple-LED RGB flash</li>
<li>4K video</li>
<li>5MP / F2.4 front camera</li>
<li>Dedicated shutter button</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Specifications</h3>
<ul>
<li>Windows 10 operating system</li>
<li>5.2-inch AMOLED 1440p display (564 ppi)</li>
<li>Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC</li>
<li>3GB RAM</li>
<li>32GB storage</li>
<li>MicroSD slot</li>
<li>3000&nbsp;mAh battery</li>
</ul>
<h3>Our 9-page review</h3>
<p>We've considered every aspect of the Microsoft Lumia 950&nbsp;with the photographer in mind. We examined the user interface of the native camera app and its special features. We experimented with the camera's performance when taking stills and video, and had a play with the device's many special feature modes.</p>Thu, 14 Apr 2016 12:00:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6960876743/microsoft-provides-additional-detail-on-lumia950-and950xl-camerashttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6960876743/microsoft-provides-additional-detail-on-lumia950-and950xl-camerasMicrosoft provides additional detail on Lumia 950 and 950XL cameras<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<p><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6960876743/Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="520" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="520" src="https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x520~articles/6960876743/Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg" width="520" data-filename="Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg"></a></p>
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<p>On October 6th Microsoft launched the long-awaited successors to the Nokia Lumia 930 and 1520, the <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4070401449/microsoft-launches-lumia-950-and-950xl-windows10-smartphones">Lumia 950 and 950XL</a>. Now&nbsp;Juha Alakarhu,&nbsp;Director, cameras for phones at Microsoft, has written a post on the Microsoft Devices Blog that provides some more detail about the camera hardware and software in the new models and shows some impressive looking sample images.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The new models use a PureView camera module that combines a&nbsp;20MP BSI CMOS sensor with a Zeiss-branded F1.9 lens, optical image stabilization and a triple-LED flash. Sensitivity can be increased up to ISO 12800 and of course the video mode is capable of recording 4K footage. At the front there is a 5MP wide-angle camera for selfies and video-chats.</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6960876743/lumia_sample.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="293" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="293" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x293~articles/6960876743/lumia_sample.jpg" width="520" data-filename="lumia_sample.jpg"></a></td>
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<div class="captionContent">Microsoft Lumia 950XL, ISO 64, 1/250 sec, Image: Microsoft</div>
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<td class="image"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="293" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="293" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x293~articles/6960876743/lumia_samplecrop.jpg" width="520" data-filename="lumia_samplecrop.jpg"></td>
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<div class="captionContent">100% crop: impressive detail</div>
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<p>Alakarhu claims that on the software side of things image processing has been optimized in terms of exposure, color and pixel-level image quality and that the sensor's native dynamic range is so good that the camera's HDR mode is hardly needed. He also explains the function of the triple-LED flash that automatically matched the color of ambient light.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It's not the first time we've heard these sort of claims at or shortly after a device launch, but Microsoft has posted some pretty impressive looking full-size image samples that have been captured with a prototype device to back up its statements. We are certainly looking forward to production units becoming available&nbsp;putting it through its paces. For now head over to the&nbsp;<a href="http://blogs.windows.com/devices/2015/10/15/camera-magic-on-microsoft-lumia-950-and-lumia-950-xl/#.ViAn0gBNTps.twitter">Microsoft Devices Blog</a>&nbsp;to read the full post and view the samples.</p>Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:03:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/5329166831/microsoft-surface-4-comes-with-larger-screen-and-more-powerhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/5329166831/microsoft-surface-4-comes-with-larger-screen-and-more-powerMicrosoft Surface Pro 4 comes with larger screen and more power<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/5329166831/surface1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="308" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="308" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x308~articles/5329166831/surface1.jpg" width="520" data-filename="surface1.jpg"></a></td>
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<p>Today Microsoft not only launched two new <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4070401449/microsoft-launches-lumia-950-and-950xl-windows10-smartphones">smartphones with PureView camera</a> but also the latest incarnation of its high-end Surface Pro tablet that is capable of running full desktop-applications, such as Adobe Photoshop CC or Lightroom. General concept, design and dimensions of the Surface have remained pretty much unchanged but, as you would expect, there are a range of improvements in the new model.</p>
<p>Thanks to thinner bezels the screen could be expanded from 12 to 12.3-inches and comes with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels.&nbsp;At 8.4mm the magnesium housing is now a little thinner and under the hood the new model provides desktop level horsepower with Intel Core m, Core i5 or Core i7 processors running the Windows 10 operating system. There are also integrated Intel HD graphics&nbsp;(515, 520 or Iris 540), 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. Like previous models the Surface Pro 4 comes with a dock, allowing you to use it as your main PC. The new model is compatible with the docking station and Type keyboard cover of its predecessor but there is also an updated keyboard version that comes with a fingerprint reader for added security, a new key design for better typing and a 40% larger trackpad.&nbsp;</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/5329166831/surface2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="292" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="292" src="https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x292~articles/5329166831/surface2.jpg" width="520" data-filename="surface2.jpg"></a></td>
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<p>The latest generation Microsoft Pen adds a virtual eraser to its back which allows you to undo previous actions and comes with a range of&nbsp;interchangeable tips, allowing you to simulate the use of various types of pencils. It is capable of detecting 1024 levels of pressure and magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet.</p>
<p>The new Surface Pro 4 tablet is available from $899 and goes up to $2,199 for the most powerful version. The new Type cover will cost you $129.99 and the Surface Pen is available at $59.99.</p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Gh4o9IqeEU" width="560"></iframe></center>Tue, 06 Oct 2015 19:09:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4070401449/microsoft-launches-lumia-950-and-950xl-windows10-smartphoneshttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4070401449/microsoft-launches-lumia-950-and-950xl-windows10-smartphonesMicrosoft launches Lumia 950 and 950 XL with PureView cameras<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4070401449/Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="520" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="520" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x520~articles/4070401449/Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg" width="520" data-filename="Lumia-950-XL-hero-jpg.jpg"></a></td>
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<div class="captionContent">Microsoft Lumia 950 XL</div>
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<p>Lumia devices have always had a good reputation among mobile photographers but the last high-end models in the line, the <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/products/nokia/mobilephones/nokia_lumia930">Lumia 930</a> and <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/products/nokia/mobilephones/nokia_lumia1520">1520</a> were launched more than one and a half years ago, before Nokia's device division was sold to Microsoft. Today the latter has finally launched a new pair of high-end Lumia smartphones, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, both of which come with a PureView branded camera module.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As the name suggests, the Lumia 950 XL is the bigger and more powerful of the two devices. It comes with a 5.7-inch AMOLED QHD display and the Windows 10 operating system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset and 3GB of RAM. A liquid cooling solution is used to keep the device temperature in check. A new USB Type-C connector serves as data and charging cable but also lets you connect the phone to the Microsoft Display Dock, allowing you to use a large screen, keyboard and mouse with your phone and giving you a PC-like experience. Power is provided by a large 3,340mAh battery and there is Qi standard wireless charging as well. 32GB of storage can be expanded via a microSD slot.</p>
<p>In terms of numbers the camera specification is actually not that much different to the Lumia 1520 but given all the components have been updated we'd certainly expect a boost in performance. The PureView camera comes with a 1/2.4-inch 20MP sensor and a Carl Zeiss branded lens with F1.9 aperture. A latest generation optical image stabilization system is keeping things steady and a triple-LED RGB flash should ensure there are no undesirable color casts when shooting with flash. 4K video recording is on board as well. At the front a 5MP module is supported by its own dedicated LED flash, similar to what we've seen on the recently announced <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4390086690/motorola-moto-x-style-camera-review">Motorola Moto X Style</a>.</p>
<p>On the software side of things the new Windows Hello feature uses the front camera to&nbsp;recognize your face and unlock the device.&nbsp;The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL will be available next month and cost $650 unlocked.</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4070401449/Lumia-950-hero-jpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="520" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="520" src="https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x520~articles/4070401449/Lumia-950-hero-jpg.jpg" width="520" data-filename="Lumia-950-hero-jpg.jpg"></a></td>
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<div class="captionContent">Microsoft Lumia 950</div>
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<p>The Lumia 950 comes with the same camera specification as its larger brother but has to make do without the front flash. Images can be viewed on a smaller 5.2-inch QHD display and a Snapdragon 808 processor is running the system. Like on the XL model there are 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. At&nbsp;3,000mAh the battery is a little smaller than on the XL but you also get wireless charging and the USB Type-C port. The Lumia 950 will be available in November and retail for $550.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 06 Oct 2015 19:06:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/1479722256/microsoft-research-turns-smartphones-into-3d-scannershttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/1479722256/microsoft-research-turns-smartphones-into-3d-scannersMicrosoft's MobileFusion turns smartphones into 3D scanners<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="283" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="283" src="https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x283~articles/1479722256/mobile-fusion_550.png-550x0.png" width="520" data-filename="mobile-fusion_550.png-550x0.png"></td>
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<p>3D scanning and modelling are complex tasks that usually require specialist hardware and software. A research project undertaken by Microsoft and the University of Oxford is now aiming to make things easier, quicker and cheaper by turning your smartphone into a 3D scanner. The MobileFusion project has developed an app that can turn objects into 3D models by capturing them with the camera in your phone. The user must&nbsp;walk around the object to capture it from all angles, and the device scans its target&nbsp;by comparing the camera's live RGB data with previous frames. It then takes the live frame and performs stereo matching in order to generate a depth map, which is merged into a 3D mesh model.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The generation of the 3D model happens&nbsp;live on the device and progress can be viewed on the screen. This allows the user to see the state of completion and whether any important parts of the object have been missed in the scanning process. The resolution of the finished model still leaves room for improvement but is good enough for 3D printing, augmented reality applications or online sharing.</p>
<p>MobileFusion appears to be&nbsp;a very interesting way of creating quick 3D models for printing, displaying in online shops or simply sharing with your friends. It isn't available to the public just yet but there are plans to release apps on the Android, iOS and Windows app stores.&nbsp;</p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8M_-lSYqACo" width="560"></iframe></center>
<p>Source: <a href="http://blogs.technet.com/b/inside_microsoft_research/archive/2015/08/24/3d-scans-with-mobile-phones-mobilefusion-research-project.aspx">Inside Microsoft Research</a>&nbsp;| Via: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/24/microsoft-mobilefusion-3d-scanning/">Engadget</a></p>Tue, 25 Aug 2015 18:50:59 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7462523011/microsoft-retires-photosynth-appshttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7462523011/microsoft-retires-photosynth-appsMicrosoft retires Photosynth apps<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://photosynth.net/preview/embed/a4658334-21f2-461d-b77f-1260f61a0417?delayload=true&amp;autoplay=true&amp;showannotations=true&amp;showpromo=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="https://photosynth.net/preview/view/a4658334-21f2-461d-b77f-1260f61a0417">mount stuart</a> by <a href="https://photosynth.net/preview/users/wideangle">wideangle</a> on <a href="https://photosynth.net/preview/">photosynth</a></p>
<p>Microsoft has retired its Photosynth apps for Windows Phone and iOS, directing users instead to&nbsp;its new web-based <a href="https://photosynth.net/preview/">Photosynth technical preview</a>, which it calls a more immersive and robust platform. The Photosynth apps allow mobile users to create&nbsp;spherical panoramas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Photosynth website will continue to be maintained despite the mobile apps&rsquo; discontinuation. Microsoft is encouraging users to upload their creations to the website for the sake of preservation. Both public and private upload options are available. The Photosynth mobile apps will remain operational for those who currently have them installed, but will no longer be supported or maintained by Microsoft. Likewise, the apps are no longer available for download in the Windows Phone Store and the Apple App Store.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://photosynth.net/discussion.aspx?cat=e57bdda7-ff98-40a1-b2ae-529b0213c2b8&amp;dis=259bd2a2-28fe-49ec-b349-06c95173d435">Microsoft</a></p>Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:36:28 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/5107787525/microsoft-hyperlapse-app-windows-phonehttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/5107787525/microsoft-hyperlapse-app-windows-phoneMicrosoft launches its Hyperlapse app<p>In August 2014, Microsoft <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7064996372/microsoft-introduces-hyperlapse-algorithm-to-fix-shaky-first-person-videos">introduced its hyperlapse algorithm</a>&nbsp;for stabilizing camera footage into smooth timelapses. Now, the technology comes to life as the company has released the product as an app for Windows Phone, and as a beta app for Android devices&nbsp;as well as other Microsoft platforms.</p>
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<div class="captionContent">Image courtesy Microsoft</div>
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<p>The problem Microsoft Hyperlapse (not to be confused with <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/2271220017/instagram-hyperlapse-app-creates-smooth-time-lapse-videos">Instagram's Hyperlapse</a>) tries to solve is that&nbsp;long first-person videos are boring to watch. Speeding them up makes them more entertaining, but doing this amplifies the jostles and bumps in the footage, making it&nbsp;difficult to watch. Microsoft Hyperlapse solves this issue by speeding up the footage while also stabilizing it so that the resulting product is smooth and more engaging.</p>
<p>Where Instagram's app of a similar name uses your phone's orientation sensor&nbsp;to smooth out footage, Microsoft's algorithm creates a 3D model of the scene, maps a path through it and stitches together bits of the original footage to create a stable final product.&nbsp;Since the footage doesn't have to come from your mobile device, its applications are broader than Instagram's mobile-only implementation.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="video"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/twncW4PLdsY?rel=0&autohide=1&wmode=transparent" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe></div>
<p>Android users must go to <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/1/communities/107281233348849000203">Microsoft&rsquo;s Google+ page</a>&nbsp;and follow the steps required to become a beta tester. Windows Phone users running Windows Phone 8.1 are able to get the app now from the <a href="https://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/hyperlapse-mobile/35781f83-3495-4204-b994-e939c0b29000">Windows Phone Store</a>, while Windows PC users can download the program directly from <a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-US/downloads/b199c523-bcd9-4a1f-b58b-af75bd5c621c/default.aspx">Microsoft Research&rsquo;s website</a>. Microsoft Azure users, meanwhile, must visit the <a href="http://azure.microsoft.com/blog/2015/05/14/announcing-hyperlapse-for-azure-media-services">Azure blog</a>&nbsp;and follow the instructions to get started.</p>
<p>The Microsoft Hyperlapse app for Windows Phone supports 15 Lumia handsets ranging from the Lumia 435 to the Lumia 1520; it also supports the HTC One M8. Android users must have either a Samsung Galaxy S5/S6/S6 Edge/Note 4, a Google Nexus 5/6, Nexus 9, or an HTC One M8 or HTC One M9 device.</p>
<p>It isn&rsquo;t clear whether the features are uniform across all the products at this point. The Windows Phone app, however, states that Hyperlapse can directly capture video at a user-specified time lapse speed (up to 32x), and can also import existing videos from the mobile device&rsquo;s camera roll. So-called &ldquo;Selfie-lapses&rdquo; are also offered.</p>
<p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://news.microsoft.com/features/microsoft-hyperlapse-makes-first-person-videos-smooth-and-speedy/">Microsoft</a></p>Sat, 16 May 2015 00:38:37 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4937394402/microsoft-announces-surface-3-tablet-running-full-windowshttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4937394402/microsoft-announces-surface-3-tablet-running-full-windowsMicrosoft announces Surface 3 tablet running full Windows<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<p><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4937394402/surface.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="293" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="293" src="https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x293~articles/4937394402/surface.png" width="520" data-filename="surface.png"></a></p>
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<p>Microsoft has today announced the latest model in its Surface line of tablets, the Surface 3. The big news here is that, unlike its predecessors, which were running Windows RT, the new model comes with a full version of Windows 8.1. This means, like on the more expensive Surface Pro models, you can install and run any Windows application including Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, making the Surface 3 a real alternative to a conventional PC.</p>
<p>In terms of design, with its magnesium body without any cooling vents and the kickstand, the new model is close to its predecessor but inside an Intel Atom processor, similar to what you would find in Chromebooks and entry-level PCs, is powering the operating system. The Surface 2 had to make do with a lower-powered ARM processor.</p>
<p>Screen size and resolution have also changed. The Surface 2's 10.6-inch screen with 16:9 aspect ratio has been swapped for a 10.8-inch display with the same 3:2 aspect ratio that is used on the Surface Pro 3. Due to the changed aspect ratio resolution has changed from 1920 x 1080 to 1920 x 1280. The screen now also supports pressure-sensitive pen input via the same N-trig pen digitizer used in the Surface Pro devices. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In the camera department the front-facing camera captures 3.5MP images while on the back the pixel count has been increased from 5 to 8MP. In contrast to many other tablets the Surface 3 offers a good range of ports including a full-size USB 3.0 connector, headphone jack, microSD slot and a Mini DisplayPort. There is also a microUSB connector for charging.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Surface 3 will be available from the 5th of May in two versions. Users can choose between a 64GB model with 2GB of RAM and a 128GB version with 4GB. Prices start at $499. An LTE version for $599 will be available soon as well.&nbsp;</p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vPto6XpRq-U" width="560"></iframe></center>
<p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.surface.com/2015/03/announcing-surface-3/">Surface Blog</a></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:17:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/3229856540/microsoft-image-composite-editor-2-0-offers-new-panorama-features-and-improved-interfacehttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/3229856540/microsoft-image-composite-editor-2-0-offers-new-panorama-features-and-improved-interfaceMicrosoft Image Composite Editor 2.0 offers new panorama features and improved interface<div class="video"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zhdXLH2GYPA?rel=0&autohide=1&wmode=transparent" width="580" height="326" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>Microsofts Research's Interactive Visual Media Group has announced the release of Image Composite Editor 2.0. The software's latest update, taking advantage of the company's Photosynth technology, can seamlessly stitch together 'gigapixel images', create panoramas from video, and automatically fill in missing areas of photographs.</p>
<p>Image Composite Editor 2.0 also includes new projection features, such as creating a 360-degree 'little world' panorama from your photographs. A complete redesign of the website and its interface allow ICE 2.0 to better communicate with its brother's software, Photosynth. Microsoft notes that these updates build on&nbsp;'years of research' from the team in Redmond, Washington.</p>
<p>The software is available as a free download for Windows PCs in 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. Support has yet to be announced for Mac OS X.</p>Mon, 09 Feb 2015 00:00:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6263174765/microsoft-onedrive-updated-with-new-photo-featureshttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6263174765/microsoft-onedrive-updated-with-new-photo-featuresMicrosoft OneDrive updated with new photo features<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6263174765/onedrive1.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="302" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="302" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x302~articles/6263174765/onedrive1.png" width="520" data-filename="onedrive1.png"></a></td>
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<p>If you like storing your images in the cloud it seems the number of options is growing by the day. <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/5600359952/dropbox-update-multiple-photos">Dropbox</a>, <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/0237021465/amazon-provides-dropbox-alternative-for-android-users">Amazon Cloud Drive</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/5160135126/google-adds-new-imaging-features-to-google-plus-for-android">Google+ Photos</a>&nbsp;are among the most popular services but now it appears Microsoft is upping its game and attempting to make its <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/">OneDrive</a>&nbsp;Cloud service the number one choice for photographers via an update that will be introduced in several steps over the next few weeks.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As before you can configure OneDrive to automatically back up your pictures in the cloud when using the Android, iOS, or Windows Phone apps. When you do so you now get double the free storage space, 30GB which should allow you to store more than 12,000 images. Additionally you can now automatically import photos from devices that attach to your computer, such as USB sticks and back up images that are attached to emails directly to OneDrive from Outlook.com.&nbsp;</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6263174765/onedrive2.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="395" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="395" src="https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x395~articles/6263174765/onedrive2.png" width="520" data-filename="onedrive2.png"></a></td>
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<p>The presentation of images has been improved as well. The new albums can be created with images from different OneDrive folders and view them in chronological order. Photos are grouped together by time and location and for quick browsing you can view photos grouped by month. In addition thumbnails are larger than before and single-image view fills the entire screen. Albums are introduced to the OneDrive web version and iOS app today, Android and Windows Phone apps will follow soon.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Lastly the OneDrive team has worked with their colleagues from Bing to integrate advanced search functions that let you search your OneDrive images by time, location, or both manually added or automatically created tags. If you to give OneDrive a spin you can sign up on the <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/">web</a>&nbsp;or download one of the mobile apps.</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6263174765/onedrive3.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="377" data-thumbnail-width="450" height="377" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS450x377~articles/6263174765/onedrive3.png" width="450" data-filename="onedrive3.png"></a></td>
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<p>Source: <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/">OneDrive</a>&nbsp;| Via:&nbsp;<a href="http://petapixel.com/2015/02/01/microsoft-onedrive-gets-photo-centric-updates-improves-image-experience/">PetaPixel</a></p>Mon, 02 Feb 2015 23:18:20 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4037182924/microsoft-announces-movie-creator-beta-for-windows-phonehttps://www.dpreview.com/news/4037182924/microsoft-announces-movie-creator-beta-for-windows-phoneMicrosoft announces Movie Creator beta for Windows Phone<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4037182924/moviemaker1.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="312" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="312" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x312~articles/4037182924/moviemaker1.png" width="520" data-filename="moviemaker1.png"></a></td>
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<p>Microsoft has announced the Movie Creator video editing app: It is still in beta stage but can already be downloaded and installed free of charge on any Windows 8.1 smartphone or tablet. We have seen some of the best mobile imaging hardware on Windows Phone devices but the app selection remains limited compared to the Android and iOS ecosystems, so this comes as good news to all Windows Phone users who like to shoot and edit video on the go.</p>
<p>Movie Creator lets you create a movie from up to 25 clips you have shot or saved on your device. You can also add still images, animated GIFs and music. As you would expect from a decent video editing tool you can change the order of your clips and cut them to the right length, add text cards, captions, and a range of effect filters. Zooming, panning and rotation are supported as well. The original files are not affected by your editing and remain safely on the device for future use. Once you are done editing the app offers a range of sharing options.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For those who prefer the software to do most of the work for them Movie Creator supplies a selection of pre-installed themes that apply pre-defined scene transitions, filters and music to your footage. Some of the themes are free but others are available via in-app purchase. If you have a Windows Phone 8.1 device and would like to try the app you should head over to the <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/movie-creator-beta/db71b2c6-a486-4b80-b37f-5e94feae8d27">Windows Phone Store</a>&nbsp;now.</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4037182924/moviemaker2.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="150" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="150" src="https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS250x150~articles/4037182924/moviemaker2.png" width="250" data-filename="moviemaker2.png"></a></td>
<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4037182924/moviemaker3.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="150" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="150" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS250x150~articles/4037182924/moviemaker3.png" width="250" data-filename="moviemaker3.png"></a></td>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4037182924/moviemaker4.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="150" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="150" src="https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS250x150~articles/4037182924/moviemaker4.png" width="250" data-filename="moviemaker4.png"></a></td>
<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4037182924/moviemaker6.png" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="150" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="150" src="https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS250x150~articles/4037182924/moviemaker6.png" width="250" data-filename="moviemaker6.png"></a></td>
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<p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://lumiaconversations.microsoft.com/2014/11/13/directors-cut-new-movie-creator-app/">Lumia Conversations</a></p>Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:21:18 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7519159829/microsoft-offers-office-365-subscribers-unlimited-onedrive-storagehttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7519159829/microsoft-offers-office-365-subscribers-unlimited-onedrive-storageMicrosoft offers Office 365 subscribers unlimited OneDrive storage<p>Microsoft has announced that all users subscribed to Office 365 will begin to see their OneDrive cloud storage upgraded to unlimited space for no additional cost. The new change will begin rolling out over the next few months to subscribers of the Home, Personal, and University editions, but you can get to the front of the line at <a href="https://preview.onedrive.com/">Microsoft's preview site</a>.</p>
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<td class="image" style="width: 520px;"><a href="https://preview.onedrive.com/"><img src="https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x0~articles/7519159829/one_drive.jpeg" alt="" width="520" height="313" border="0" data-filename="one_drive.jpeg" data-thumbnail-width="520" data-thumbnail-height="0"></a></td>
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<p>Users subscribed to Office 365 Business edition will begin to receive the update in early 2015, but in the meantime can still take advantage of the current 1 TB storage level offered. Prospective customers can check out <a href="http://products.office.com/en-us/home">Office365.com</a>&nbsp;for more information, and to find unlimited OneDrive storage and Office plans starting from $6.99 per month.</p>Tue, 28 Oct 2014 05:17:42 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6974898098/nokia-lumia-830-comes-with-10mp-and-oishttps://www.dpreview.com/news/6974898098/nokia-lumia-830-comes-with-10mp-and-oisNokia announces Lumia 830 with OIS and innovative camera modes<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<p>At an event in Berlin, Nokia has today announced the first high-end smartphone since the company's device division was purchased by software maker Microsoft. At a retail price of 330 Euros before tax and subsidies (approximately US$ 430) the Lumia 830 is what Microsoft calls an "affordable flagship" and comes with an 8.5mm slim body which is made, in true&nbsp;Nokia fashion, out of aluminum and polycarbonate.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The device runs Windows Phone 8.1 powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and comes with a 720p 5-inch display. This all sounds pretty mid-range but the camera specs look as if they could make the 830 be a good option for budget-conscious mobile photographers. The camera module offers&nbsp;a 10MP 1/3.4-inch CMOS sensor and F2.2 maximum aperture. What sets the Nokia apart from many competitors is the optical image stabilization system which, according to Nokia, is the thinnest in any of their devices, allowing for the 830's slim physique.</p>
<p>The Lumia 830 will ship with Nokia's latest Windows Phone update (called Denim) and includes a number of interesting new features in the Nokia Camera app. Rich Capture is a new Super-Auto mode that in low-light and high-contrast situations takes a flash or HDR image in addition to a standard exposure. The two images are then merged and you can modify the blend factor, basically allowing you to control flash intensity and HDR strength after capture. In demonstrations, the new feature looked impressive and we're looking forward to testing it out in-depth.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Camera start-up and shot-to-shot times have both been improved and a long-press of the shutter button in the camera app will now take you directly to 4K-video recording. After capture you get the option to extract individual 4K-frames as stills or create an action composite still from more than one frame. The new camera features will also be made available to the Lumia 930 and 1520 flagship phones before the end of the year. Like previous high-end Lumias, the 830 is capable of recording DNG Raw format and comes with built-in wireless charging. It will start shipping globally this month.</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6974898098/nokialumia830b2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" data-thumbnail-height="187" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="187" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TC4x3S250x187~articles/6974898098/nokialumia830b2.jpg" width="250" data-filename="nokialumia830b2.jpg"></a></td>
<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6974898098/nokialumia830c2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" data-thumbnail-height="188" data-thumbnail-width="250" height="188" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TC4x3S250x188~articles/6974898098/nokialumia830c2.jpg" width="250" data-filename="nokialumia830c2.jpg"></a></td>
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<h3>Key specification:</h3>
<ul>
<li>10MP 1/3.4-inch CMOS sensor</li>
<li>F2.2</li>
<li>Optical Image Stabilization</li>
<li>4K-video</li>
<li>Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core SoC</li>
<li>1GB RAM</li>
<li>16GM Storage</li>
<li>microSD support up to 128 GB</li>
<li>Wireless charging</li>
<li>2200 mAh battery</li>
</ul>Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:37:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7064996372/microsoft-introduces-hyperlapse-algorithm-to-fix-shaky-first-person-videoshttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/7064996372/microsoft-introduces-hyperlapse-algorithm-to-fix-shaky-first-person-videosMicrosoft introduces hyperlapse algorithm to fix shaky first-person videos<p>Microsoft's Research division in Redmond, Washington has&nbsp;published material detailing a method for turning shaky first-person camera footage&nbsp;into a stabilized hyperlapse video. Hyperlapsing is a technique used in multimedia to string together a collection of photographs or video frames in order to produce a cinematic experience; the methodology is also more commonly known as a stop-motion time-lapse.</p>
<p>Microsoft researchers, Johannes Kopf, Michael Cohen, and Richard Szeliski, all noted that first-person video cameras could capture interesting footage during activities such as 'rock climbing or bicycling', but can be 'dead boring' to watch at normal speeds.</p>
<p>The three researchers found&nbsp;that simply speeding up the video by a factor of 10 (also known as subsampling), did not produce the smooth result they wanted, but instead an extremely shaky video where every movement was amplified. When the researchers attempted to, instead, stabilize the&nbsp;video, they found that they simply didn't have enough information to do so.</p>
<p>The algorithm they've developed uses a 3-step process to produce exceptionally stable videos that play back in a single fluid camera sweep. First researchers reconstruct the scene by creating a 3D model of the world based on similar structures detected within each frame. Next, they proceed to plan a camera path through the world and create 3D point-clouds from overlapping frames. Lastly, the dense depth maps are stitched together, color changes are made, and the video is rendered for viewing.</p>
<p>The resulting video, seen in the demo below, is quite impressive. As of now, the team does not have a release date, but mentions that those who are interested should stay tuned as they 'are working hard on making [their] hyperlapse algorithm available as a Windows app' - Note that the word app most likely hints at a Windows 8 application and not legacy desktop software (sorry Windows 7 users).</p>
<div class="video"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOpwHaQnRSY?rel=0&autohide=1&wmode=transparent" width="580" height="326" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>For more information, you can visit the <a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/hyperlapse/" target="article-null">official research page</a>&nbsp;for technical papers and supplemental material.</p>
<hr>
<p><em><a href="http://about.me/marcham93" target="article-null">Michael Archambault</a>&nbsp;is a contributing writer for DPReview.</em></p>Tue, 12 Aug 2014 06:59:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/0651403309/microsoft-project-adam-aims-to-improve-image-recognitionhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/0651403309/microsoft-project-adam-aims-to-improve-image-recognitionMicrosoft Project Adam aims to improve image recognition<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/0651403309/msadam.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="292" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="292" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x292~articles/0651403309/msadam.jpg" width="520" data-filename="msadam.jpg"></a></td>
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<p>Amazon recently released its first smartphone, <a href="http://connect.dpreview.com/products/amazon/mobilephones/amazon_firephone">the Fire Phone</a>, and one of the device's most talked about features was Firefly which uses the phone's camera to recognize objects and then finds them in a database. For most physical products you'll then get the immediate option to purchase them on Amazon.</p>
<p>Image recognition makes obvious&nbsp;sense for online retailers, though&nbsp;now Microsoft has announced Project Adam which aims&nbsp;to take image recognition to new levels. Project Adam uses a "Deep Learning" system that works similarly to the human brain and, so Microsoft claims, makes Project Adam world class in performance, scaling and accuracy for visual recognition tasks and thus the world's best photograph classifier.</p>
<p>A gigantic data set and over&nbsp;2 billion "neuronal" connections between data points should double the accuracy of current state-of-the-art systems and make Microsoft's system up to 50 times faster.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>"It automatically learns how to extract features from these images, so that when you show it an image that it has never seen before, it can accurately categorize it in one of the categories that you've already taught it," says Partner Research Manager Trishul Chilimbi. </em></p>
<p>The system's neuronal connections are used to analyze small areas of an image rather than the entire frame. By doing this the system can be more precise at the recognition of facial features or textures and therefore&nbsp;improve&nbsp;image classification.</p>
<p>No indication is given as to when we can expect the technology to be available in a device but in the video below Microsoft describes a couple of potential use cases. For example Project Adam will allow you to take a picture of your food and then give you the nutritional information, just to confirm that donuts are bad for you. Maybe more usefully the system will also identify certain diseases by analyzing pictures of the visible symptoms on your body. &nbsp;Watch the video below to learn more.</p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S4ZgfYoeyCo" width="560"></iframe></center>
<p>Via:&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.gsmarena.com/microsofts-project-adam-takes-image-recognition-next-level/?utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter">GSM Arena</a><a class="vt-p" href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/27/fotalia-now-lets-android-smartphone-photographers-sell-their-snaps/"><br></a><a class="vt-p" href="http://blog.eyeem.com/2014/06/your-photos-have-never-looked-so-beautiful-on-android/"></a></p>Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:47:31 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/0141982213/canon-and-microsoft-sign-patent-agreementhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/0141982213/canon-and-microsoft-sign-patent-agreementCanon and Microsoft sign patent agreement<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCrop single center" data-image-height="" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a class="vt-p" href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/0141982213/nokialumia1020.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="346" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="346" src="https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x346~articles/0141982213/nokialumia1020.jpg" width="520" data-filename="nokialumia1020.jpg"></a></td>
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<td class="caption">
<div class="captionContent">Nokia's Lumia smartphones could benefit from Canon's camera technology.</div>
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<p>It appears we can expect an increased interchange of technologies between imaging giant Canon and software maker Microsoft in the near future, thanks to to a <a class="vt-p" href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/jul14/07-02canonpr.aspx">patent agreement</a> that was signed by the two parties on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Unfortunately the brief statement issued by Microsoft does not reveal an awful lot of detail about the type of patents included in the agreement or how they would be put to use, but simply says that the two companies have "broadened their strategic alliance with the announcement of a broad patent cross-licensing" and that "with this agreement, Microsoft and Canon gain licenses to each other&rsquo;s highly valued and growing patent portfolios."&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, the text also goes on to say that the "agreement covers a broad range of products and services each company offers, including certain digital imaging and mobile consumer products." &nbsp;In practice this could mean that Canon imaging technology will be used in future Lumia smartphones made by Nokia, <a class="vt-p" href="http://connect.dpreview.com/post/1387717231/micros0ft-acquires-nokia">the device division of which is now owned by Microsoft</a>. On the other hand Canon cameras could benefit from some of Microsoft's and Nokia's mobile and wireless knowledge.&nbsp;</p>
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<td class="image"><a class="vt-p" href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/0141982213/canonn100.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" data-thumbnail-height="390" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="390" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TC4x3S520x390~articles/0141982213/canonn100.jpg" width="520" data-filename="canonn100.jpg"></a></td>
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<td class="caption">
<div class="captionContent">Canon's connected cameras, such as the Powershot N100, lag behind the competition in terms of both features and connectivity.</div>
</td>
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<p>Without any detailed knowledge of the deal it looks as if it could be beneficial to both companies. With the Nokia 808 and Lumia 1020, 930 and 1520 Microsoft and Nokia have already designed and marketed some of the best smartphone cameras money can buy, and with Canon's help could strengthen their position further.</p>
<p>At the same time Canon is lagging behind Samsung and even eternal rival Nikon in the connected camera game and its&nbsp;Wi-Fi enabled cameras, such as the "Facebook-ready"&nbsp;<a class="vt-p" href="http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_nfr">Powershot N1</a>&nbsp;and <a class="vt-p" href="http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_n100">Powershot N100</a>,&nbsp;struggle to find a larger audience. &nbsp;A little help from a mobile device manufacturer could be exactly what's needed to get the company ready for the connected age. That said, with the two parties not releasing any detailed information about the agreement at this point all of the above remains speculation. We'll have to wait for future camera and device releases to see what Microsoft and Canon&nbsp;joining forces actually means on a product level.</p>
<p>Source: <a class="vt-p" href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/jul14/07-02canonpr.aspx">Microsoft</a> |Via: <a class="vt-p" href="http://petapixel.com/2014/07/02/canon-microsoft-sign-patent-agreement-hints-canon-powered-pureview-phones/">PetaPixel</a><a class="vt-p" href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/27/fotalia-now-lets-android-smartphone-photographers-sell-their-snaps/"><br></a><a class="vt-p" href="http://blog.eyeem.com/2014/06/your-photos-have-never-looked-so-beautiful-on-android/"></a></p>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:19:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/9414374978/paul-trillo-and-microsoft-link-50-lumia-1020s-to-create-bullet-effecthttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/9414374978/paul-trillo-and-microsoft-link-50-lumia-1020s-to-create-bullet-effectPaul Trillo and Microsoft link 50 Lumia 1020s to create bullet effect<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LmDNjZM3Tu8" width="560"></iframe></center>
<p>Filmmaker Paul Trillo and Microsoft, who previously collaborated on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lA3-cJgN6I">NY 41x41 project</a>, have teamed up again to work on another smartphone-based visual project. Trillo and his team built &nbsp;an apparatus which they call the "Lumia Arc of Wonder". It consists of 50 Nokia Lumia 1020 smartphones fixed to a custom-built metal arc on casters, some networking equipment and external power sources.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The whole rack is controlled via a custom-designed app running on a Microsoft Surface tablet. When the 1020 cameras are triggered they simultaneously capture the same scene from 50 different perspectives, creating the "bullet" or "freeze time" effect that was first explored in the Matrix movies.&nbsp;</p>
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/9414374978/Arc-of-Wonder-feat1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="355" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="355" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x355~articles/9414374978/Arc-of-Wonder-feat1.jpg" width="520" data-filename="Arc-of-Wonder-feat1.jpg"></a></td>
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<td class="caption">
<div class="captionContent">The Lumia Arc of Wonder on a New York City street</div>
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<p>To create the final version of the above video, 30,000 photographs were taken in the streets of New York City. Then the sets of 50 images had to be sequenced together, slowed down and stabilized.</p>
<p>Trillo says it was his intention to do street photography in a new and exciting way, and it's probably fair to say he has achieved this. The Lumia Arc of Wonder might be a little more&nbsp;conspicuous and less pocketable than your average smartphone or compact camera, but the semi-circle "time freeze" is quite spectacular. Watch the video below to for some insight as to how the project was carried out.&nbsp;</p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hHVkNcvxMZM" width="560"></iframe></center>
<p>Source: <a href="http://conversations.nokia.com/2014/05/21/arc-wonder-bullet-effect-photoshoot-50-lumia-smartphones/">Nokia</a></p>Fri, 23 May 2014 22:27:33 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/8545461699/microsoft-unveils-surface-pro-3-tablet-to-replace-laptopshttps://www.dpreview.com/news/8545461699/microsoft-unveils-surface-pro-3-tablet-to-replace-laptopsMicrosoft unveils Surface Pro 3 tablet to replace laptops<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<td class="image"><a href="https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/8545461699/mssurface1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-thumbnail-height="293" data-thumbnail-width="520" height="293" src="https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x293~articles/8545461699/mssurface1.jpg" width="520" data-filename="mssurface1.jpg"></a></td>
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<p>Microsoft has announced the latest member of its Surface tablet family, the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/may14/05-20surfacepr.aspx">Surface 3 Pro</a>, at a press event in New York. According to Microsoft, the new model is designed to be a replacement for both your iPad and laptop. So it only makes sense the Surface Pro 3 is thinner and more lightweight than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 2, and at the same time comes with more powerful components and a larger, higher resolution screen. Microsoft likes to point out the Pro 3 is also 50% thinner than a MacBook Pro and 30% thinner than a 13.3-inch MacBook Air. &nbsp;</p>
<p>With 5MP front and rear cameras, the Pro 3 doesn't look like a particularly competent capture device but its specifications make it look like a decent option for image editing on the go. The color-calibrated screen, measuring 12 inches at 2160 x 1440 pixels, offers plenty of resolution. Photographers will also appreciate the touch-optimized version of Photoshop for Windows that Adobe previewed at the Surface press event and will be released some time in the near future. It will allow for touch control of the user interface and image manipulation using the Surface Pro 3's stylus.</p>
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<div class="captionContent">The Surface Pro 3 is noticeably thinner than most laptops.</div>
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<div class="captionContent">Covers and keyboards are available in a range of colors.</div>
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<p>The 4th generation Intel Core processors should provide plenty of power for imaging-related tasks, too. You can choose from Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 options, and pick 4GB or 8GB of RAM. On-board storage capacity ranges from 64GB to 512GB. In terms of interfaces the Surface Pro 3 offers USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort for connecting external displays and a microSD card slot to expand the storage capacity. Battery life is 9 hours.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Like previous Surface models the Pro 3 comes with a multi-position kickstand and optional keyboards. Within the next few months Microsoft will also announce a docking station, turning the Surface into a proper workstation.&nbsp;</p>
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<div class="captionContent">Adobe previewed a touch-optimized version of Photoshop at the Surface press event.</div>
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<p>The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will be available for <a href="http://surface.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/html/pbPage.ProductDetails/Surface-Pro-3/productID.300190600?Icid=Homepage_Hero_1_Surface_Announce_052014">pre-order on MicrosoftStore.com</a> tonight at 12:01 am ET, starting at $799. &nbsp;On May 21st you can also pre-order at Microsoft retail stores and Best Buy in the US. Availability is expected for June 20th in the US and many other countries around the world.</p>Tue, 20 May 2014 21:12:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/4284911820/nokia-device-division-may-become-microsoft-mobilehttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/4284911820/nokia-device-division-may-become-microsoft-mobileNokia device division may become 'Microsoft Mobile'<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCaptions noCrop single center" data-image-height="" data-image-width="520">
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<p>Microsoft is in the process of acquiring Nokia's Devices and Services division, and in March both companies confirmed the $7.2 billion deal would be closed by the end of April. Now&nbsp;<a href="http://wmpoweruser.com/nokias-handset-division-to-be-renamed-microsoft-mobile-oy/">Windows Mobile Power User</a>&nbsp;got hold of a leaked letter which Nokia supposedly had&nbsp;sent out to its suppliers in Finland. In the letter it says that the name of Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy. &nbsp;In Finnish, Oyj is an abbreviation for a publicly traded company and Oy is the equivalent of a limited company.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>"Please note that upon the close of the transaction between Microsoft and Nokia, the name of Nokia Corporation/Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy. Microsoft Mobile Oy is the legal entity name that should be used for VAT IDs and for the issuance of invoices." </em></p>
<p>The letter goes on to say that there won't be any changes to the current terms and conditions between Nokia&rsquo;s Devices and Services business and its suppliers, and that business will continue as usual.</p>
<p>Nokia's star began to wane with the introduction of the iPhone and other touchscreen smartphones but the brand is still a powerful one, especially in developing regions where feature phones still top smartphones in the sales charts. With that in mind it'll be interesting to observe if Microsoft is only renaming the business or will kill the Nokia brand entirely. The latter could potentially be a risky move but at the very least sadden those consumers who, like myself, have fond memories of their Nokia 3310 or 5510.</p>
<p>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://wmpoweruser.com/nokias-handset-division-to-be-renamed-microsoft-mobile-oy/">WMPU</a>&nbsp;| Via:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nokia-phone-division-be-renamed-microsoft-mobile-upon-completion-microsoft-acquisition-1445475">IBtimes</a><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/14/google-patents-tiny-cameras-embedded-in-contact-lenses/"><br></a></p>Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:59:00 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/6019900734/photosynth-new-featureshttps://www.dpreview.com/articles/6019900734/photosynth-new-featuresPhotosynth can now create interactive 3D scenes<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<div class="captionContent">One of Photosynth's new features allows users to create their own walking tour, like this one of Edinburgh Castle. (Check out the embed below for the full interactive experience.)</div>
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<p>Microsoft has announced a few new features for its Photosynth software. Formally a panorama-focused tool, Photosynth has expanded to include a spin, walk and wall capture mode. You can still create panoramas with Photosynth, but the viewing platform has changed to give the 360-degree photos a more immersive, active feel. The new Photosynth features are still in preview and not yet officially integrated into the main Photosynth site, but you can <a href="http://www.photosynth.net/preview">check them out here</a>.</p>
<p>Microsoft explained the new features and gave examples in a <a href="http://www.bing.com/blogs/site_blogs/b/search/archive/2013/12/10/photo.aspx">press release</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">This technical preview highlights the third generation of our 3D technology. It&rsquo;s a dramatic step forward in smoothness and simplicity, and is what we now recommend for anyone with a D-SLR or a point-and-shoot camera. Once a synth is created you can easily share on Facebook, Twitter or via embed with a few simple clicks.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Spin: Spin around an object as small as a cup and saucer or as large as glacial peak.</strong></p>
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//photosynth.net/preview/embed/d3681aca-984c-44aa-8dd0-9660d1620ca4?delayload=true&amp;autoplay=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
<p><a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/view/d3681aca-984c-44aa-8dd0-9660d1620ca4">Wrapped Rocks</a> by <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/users/David">David</a> on <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/">Photosynth</a></p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Walk: Follow a path through the woods, your house or fly toward any direction.</strong></p>
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<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//photosynth.net/preview/embed/bf591263-4b2f-4421-b3af-2034f38526e7?delayload=true&amp;autoplay=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/view/bf591263-4b2f-4421-b3af-2034f38526e7">Edinburgh Castle walk</a> by <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/users/David">David</a> on <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/">Photosynth</a></p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong></strong><strong>Wall: Slide across a scene, checking out every last detail.</strong></p>
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<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//photosynth.net/preview/embed/77294934-eb1d-477a-91a8-f17edacb3117?delayload=true&amp;autoplay=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/view/77294934-eb1d-477a-91a8-f17edacb3117">Decaying Maple Leaves...</a> by <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/users/David">David</a> on <a href="http://photosynth.net/preview/">Photosynth</a></p>
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Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:08:21 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/7019707187/6-things-from-microsoft-nokia-mergerhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/7019707187/6-things-from-microsoft-nokia-merger6 things to expect in mobile from Microsoft's Nokia acquisition<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<div class="captionContent">What will a future Microsoft/Nokia collaboration look like?</div>
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<p>So Microsoft has bought the best bits of Nokia, and given their already cozy relationship, the two companies will likely be working as one much more quickly than, say, Google and Motorola did. What can we expect from the next couple years of this intriguing mashup?</p>
<h2><strong>#1. Pureview rolls out en masse</strong></h2>
<p>One of the few things Nokia is truly known for in the modern smartphone market is actually innovating in the camera space. Most skeptics of the 41-megapixel Pureview sensor have been silenced by its versatility and image quality. Sure, there's work to be done in speeding it up and adding features, but the core technology is unique and powerful.</p>
<p>Microsoft knows this adds a big card to their hand, and Pureview will almost certainly be a flagship feature of Windows Phones from now on. It won't be on every device, but you can be sure it's going to hit a lot more models than just the top-end superphones.</p>
<h2><strong>#2. Windows slums it at the low end</strong></h2>
<p>Shipping dumbphones with a dead-end OS doesn't fit Microsoft's plan to nibble away at the smartphone market. Nokia's approach has led to years of decline, but they still have reach, especially in emerging markets. Microsoft will want to use this reach to put some kind of Windows Phone device in the hands of someone trying to decide between a Samsung flip-phone and a Nokia Asha.</p>
<p>This won't be easy &mdash; but it may be a better fit for a cut-down version of an OS than in the disastrous Windows RT tablets. A Windows Phone "lite" running on cheap hardware could put millions into Microsoft's world of services.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A side effect of this will be an attempt to freeze Android out of the budget segment. Every month, Android phones get closer and closer to supplanting dumbphones in massive markets like India and China. Offering a killer low-end phone will halt the enemy's progress and boost friendly ranks.</p>
<h2><strong>#3. Photos get a social and cloud boost</strong></h2>
<p>Microsoft may have recently updated its Skydrive service with better photo options, but they're still lagging far behind Apple and Google when it comes to a smooth, connected photo-taking and sharing experience. Microsoft should be bending over backwards to make sure apps like Instagram and Vine are available on Windows Phone, while pushing connections with Facebook to the maximum. Why, for example, isn't Binging all your and your friends' Facebook photos and tags already a homepage action? And why is WP always the last to be supported by the cool new thing?</p>
<p>Nokia has a lot of thoughtful software engineers who have built accessible, innovative apps over the last few years, and they may combine with Microsoft's vast ecosystem of services to make something powerful. Or at least, it's possible.</p>
<h2><strong>#4. Skype everywhere</strong></h2>
<p>Microsoft has been waiting for a way to extend the mobile reach of Skype for a long time, and this is a great opportunity. Include it (with some sort of sweet data deal) on every Windows Phone as an answer to FaceTime and Google Hangouts and watch as users stick with the default. Want to bet every phone Microsoft sells starting a year from now has dual cameras?</p>
<h2><strong>#5. Industry acquaintances get the cold shoulder</strong></h2>
<p>After an initial (and largely ineffective) push, companies like Samsung and LG have offered only lukewarm support of Microsoft's newer platforms. Microsoft thanked them both with the self-produced Surface tablets, and by partnering for all intents and purposes exclusively with Nokia. Expect this frosty relationship to chill even further now that Microsoft has no particular need for their design and manufacturing prowess.</p>
<h2><strong>#6. "Nokia" will stick around</strong></h2>
<p>A few comments have been made about the branding of devices: Microsoft Windows Phone Nokia Lumia 1020 is about four words too long, and many have suggested that "Nokia" is on the chopping block. That's doubtful. Nokia is one of the most well-recognized mobile brands in the world, and has many positive associations. Windows Phone and Lumia are newer and more mixed. Moreover, callously retiring a cherished and valuable brand would be very bad PR.</p>
<p>No, Microsoft's best move is to make sure that "Nokia" is solely associated with Windows, so much so that they don't have to say it in the name. If anything, "Nokia" will be the last brand standing when it comes to what's actually advertised. Intel, after all, didn't tell Dell to call their computers "Intel Pentium Inspirons"... yet "Intel Inside" is a brand that persists to this day, while "Inspiron" is virtually without cachet. Google relaunched Motorola rather than absorb it.</p>Sat, 07 Sep 2013 11:46:39 Zhttps://www.dpreview.com/news/1387717231/micros0ft-acquires-nokiahttps://www.dpreview.com/news/1387717231/micros0ft-acquires-nokiaMicrosoft to acquire Nokia's smartphone business<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="images noCrop single center" data-image-height="null" data-image-width="520">
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<div class="captionContent">Nokia's recent flagship smartphones use Microsoft's mobile operating system Windows Phone 8.</div>
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<p>Microsoft is moving forward with a deal to purchase Nokia's Devices and Services business for $7.2 billion (<span>&euro;5.44 billion)</span>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Finnish hardware maker's mobile phone division has been struggling since the dawn of the smartphone era, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/18/nokia-q2-2013/">recently reporting a $150 million revenue loss</a> even after surging sales of its Lumia line of Windows Phone 8 smartphones.</p>
<p>For Microsoft, the acquisition is an opportunity to unify its mobile brand. Aside from the HTC 8X, all licensed Windows Phone 8 devices are Nokia-made. So now, instead of seeing Nokia ads for individual devices and Microsoft ads for the mobile operating system, we will likely see combined marketing.</p>
<p>From Microsoft's <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2013/Sep13/09-02AnnouncementPR.aspx">press release</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokia&rsquo;s Devices &amp; Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion to license Nokia&rsquo;s patents, for a total transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion in cash.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">[...]Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia&rsquo;s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">[...]&nbsp;At closing, approximately 32,000 people are expected to transfer to Microsoft, including 4,700 people in Finland and 18,300 employees directly involved in manufacturing, assembly and packaging of products worldwide. The operations that are planned to be transferred to Microsoft generated an estimated EUR 14.9 billion, or almost 50 percent of Nokia&rsquo;s net sales for the full year 2012.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Microsoft is acquiring Nokia&rsquo;s Smart Devices business unit, including the Lumia brand and products. Lumia handsets have won numerous awards and have grown in sales in each of the last three quarters, with sales reaching 7.4 million units in the second quarter of 2013.</p>
<p>By selling its mobile phone division, Nokia is using the opportunity to trim away a profitless part of the company to focus on other, more lucrative areas like its telecommunication and mapping technology.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From Nokia's <a href="http://press.nokia.com/2013/09/03/nokia-to-sell-devices-services-business-to-microsoft-in-eur-5-44-billion-all-cash-transaction/">press release</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Following the transaction, Nokia plans to focus on its three established businesses, each of which is a leader in enabling mobility in its respective market segment: NSN, a leader in network infrastructure and services; HERE, a leader in mapping and location services; and Advanced Technologies, a leader in technology development and licensing. At closing, this transaction is expected to strengthen Nokia's financial position and provide a solid basis for future investment in these three businesses.</p>
<p>The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, allowing Microsoft to speed up the progress of its Windows Phone 8 devices. Retiring Microsoft CEO <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/technology/microsoft-aquires-nokia-units-and-leader.html">Steve Ballmer has said </a>that sharing intellectual property rights between the two companies has slowed down development in the past.</p>
<p>With 32,000 new Nokia employees across technology and production teams, Microsoft will have the entire Lumia staff at its disposal.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:10:34 Z